Aria lay beneath him, her breath caught in her throat, waiting, aching, for the mark that would bind them forever. But it didn’t come.Seconds dragged. Then minutes.Mason didn’t move. His forehead rested against the crook of her neck, his body trembling as he fought to catch his breath. His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.Instead of panic, Aria reached up, wrapping her arms around him, her hands smoothing across his back in slow, rhythmic strokes—like soothing a wild beast struggling against its instincts.“I wanted to,” Mason rasped against her skin, voice torn and rough. “I wanted to mark you so badly. Claim you. You’re my mate, Aria. After all these years, I finally found you. But I can’t.”His voice cracked on the last word.Aria’s heart twisted. “I understand,” she whispered, though her chest burned with longing.But Mason pulled back to look at her, eyes fierce and haunted. “No. You don’t. Not from where I stand.”His fingers traced her damp hairline,
Last Updated : 2025-07-17 Read more